Mystery Monster Stalks UK Waters
A carnivorous water monster has been spotted plucking geese from the surface of the water and pulling them down into the murky depths below. After the reports stopped coming out in the 1970’s, it was assumed that the mystery would remain that way forever. But now a dramatic return seems to be on the menu, along with several large Canadian geese. Is this river monster a relic of the past, or is it something a bit newer than that?
A Canadian goose is not a small animal. In fact, the birds are known to weigh between seven and fourteen pounds. So when something from beneath the waves in Olympic Park suddenly lurches up and drags one of them to the bottom it’s something that will get plenty of attention – particularly since no known predator is both that far north and possesses the jaw size to actually eat one whole. But that’s precisely what witnesses are saying happened right before their own frightened eyes. The creature disappeared without a trace and now some are wondering if this is the legendary monster that was spotted in London decades ago – or perhaps its offspring. And this isn’t the first time the monster has been seen in the past ten years. In 2005 a similar sighting fueled reports that a massive crocodile had taken up residence in the area.
So what is it? And could a crocodile survive in the river during a time of year when already snow storms are hitting the west? The creature, if it were a crocodile, would have to find warmth during the cold winter months – possibly residing in the warmer waters put off by a power plant or another artificial source. But the story now breaking in the area is almost identical to another one that happened in 2005 when boaters noted a goose suddenly fall beneath the waves as if it had been snapped down by a large reptile. On the same boat trip, crewmen noted that there were large gouges in the river banks as though something large had been settling in there.
The National Wildlife Trust contends that a particularly large fish such as a large pike could be responsible. Skeptics disagree with this claim, however, saying that pike only prey on much smaller prey. The largest recorded pike in history weighed approximately 77 lbs and even then it’s arguable that it likely could not have eaten an adult Canadian goose – though they are occasionally noted for preying on smaller species of bird and ducklings. Officials have suggested that it might be a crocodile, but the likelihood of a crocodile surviving in that environment are not exceedingly high.
Of course there is also a story of a massive turtle in the area that has been seen only by a few lucky fishermen. But if it were able to snatch up geese that were resting on the surface of the water, it would have to be incredibly large. Geese, like swans, have long been rumored to be able to break a human arm with the power of their wings. And the creatures are strong enough to keep sixteen pounds in flight for extended journeys. What could possibly pull one down under the water? It seems this mystery deserves additional investigation.
